Today we’d like to introduce you to Selam Woldemichael.
Selam, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have always loved my pictures being taken ever since I was a little girl! My older brother always used to say, “Selam is a photogenic ” As I grow older, I start wanting to know more about DSLR cameras and be behind the camera and want to start to take pictures of my visions with DSLR than just cell phones pictures. This was good eight years ago, which I had my first baby as well. So I said I would starting learning photography after she gets a little older. That never happened and I had two more kids and a full-time job. Once I had my last baby, I was so determined to start my passion and I got my very first DSLR camera. Once again, I couldn’t get to my passion as I had to move to Atlanta with my husband and kids. Three years passed as I have my camera still in the box. Two years ago, I said this is it and registered at Atlanta school of photography to start my passion.
On the first day of school, I took my excited self and my camera to class in the evening while charging it the car. (mind you, I still didn’t have time to check my camera before class. I have such a busy life with kids, a part-time job and a business to run with my husband). I got to class and when I was trying to turn on my camera, it wont turn on. I shared a camera with a girl next to me in the class and went home. I tried everything to fix that camera but never worked. I had to go and buy another camera and continue with my class for over a year. Ever since then, I have been an active shooter. I love taking pictures of people and products. I love creating my own creative shots. I have a great mentor who has a bigger dream for me than I have for myself. I have a very supportive family, friends and complete strangers who support me and trust me and hire me. There is no great feeling of doing what you love to do.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not being a smooth road. As a mother of three little kids who still needs my attention and a part-time job and business to run, I had to take evening and weekend classes. Also, since I am still fairly new to Atlanta (it’s four years now) with no family on our side, me and my husband do not have even that little help when we need it. I had to really make time to scheduling shooting, going to workshops to learn more and to shoot just to shoot. So for me time is my most struggle. I always wish if there was more time in a day so I will have more time to shoot. 🙂
We’d love to hear more about Selam Photogen!c.
My company name is “Selam photogenic.” Its a photography business. I mostly do portraits, family portraits, kids’ products in a creative way. I sometimes do real estate. I specialize on creative pictures. I want my pictures to speak to people. I love putting sayings, phrases, expressions and idioms in pictures. I am very proud of how far I have come within these two years, how I am able to still give and make time to do what I love to do. I am very proud of how at least three companies choose my pictures to advertise their business on brochures and social media. I am also recently given a big picture project for adverting, which I am excited about and cant wait to see my work all over.
What sets me apart from others? I do my job with full passion and NOT just to make money. My pictures have meanings and messages. You look at them and they get you to wonder and you try to figure out what they mean.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My family and my friends have being very supportive. Most of all my mentor Ayresam Hailu (photo Hailu- wedding photographer), who has being a photographer since he was 14, has being my #1 supporter and my motivator. He has a bigger dream for me than I can dream for myself. He is always there to help me with full energy and never gave me a room to doubt myself. He is truly my go-to person – mentor whenever I have a question about anything technical and advice.
Pricing:
- Price depends on what the shooting is so its hard for me to say this is my price but minimum price starts from $80
Contact Info:
- Address: 1946 Sterling Park
Buford, GA 30518 - Phone: 469-835-0933
- Email: selamasgedom@gmail.com
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